After the Burial is an American progressive metalcore band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released five of their six full-length albums through the label. Since their inception in 2004, the band has gone through two vocalist changes, two drummer changes, the departure and death of founding rhythm guitarist Justin Lowe,[1] and the departure of bassist Lerichard Foral. Lead guitarist Trent Hafdahl is the sole remaining founding member. They are considered key contributors to the development of djent and progressive metalcore.[2]
Nick Wellner, Trent Hafdahl, Justin Lowe (born Justin A. Lowe in Flemington, New Jersey; December 17, 1982 – July 21, 2015),[3] and Greg Erickson founded After the Burial in 2004. Dave Coleman filled in on bass while they searched for a permanent member. After posting an ad on a Twin Cities hardcore message board, Lee Foral responded and earned a spot in the band.
The group's first album, Forging a Future Self, was recorded in late 2005 and released on March 1, 2006. It was distributed via Corrosive Records, though there was never an official record deal in place.
They later signed to Sumerian Records. Erickson and Wellner departed and Grant Luoma of local act Nostalia joined as vocalist. Eric Robles took Erickson's place as drummer but departed before the recording of the band's second album.
Rareform (2008–2009)
The band in 2009
The band entered the studio in 2008 to record their second studio album, Rareform. All drum programming was done by rhythm guitarist Lowe, while Hafdahl wrote the lyrics due to Luoma's lack of input.
Shortly after the release, Luoma was replaced[4] with Anthony Notarmaso. The band recruited Dan Carle, also of Nostalia, on drums.
In late 2008, the band supported Suicide Silence on The Cleansing The Nation Tour, and in early 2009, co-headlined a U.S. tour with Veil of Maya.
The band re-released Rareform with Notarmaso's vocals in September 2009. It included bonus content, such as live footage from a sold-out concert.[5]
In 2018, the band did a 10-year anniversary tour for Rareform, with The Acacia Strain.[6]
In Dreams (2010–2012)
The band's third full-length album, In Dreams, was recorded and released in 2010 through Sumerian.[7]
In late 2010, the band supported Winds of Plague on The December Decimation Tour, and in 2011, headlined the Crush Em' All Tour 2.
On March 14, 2011, an extended mix of the song "Pi (The Mercury God of Infinity)" was uploaded to YouTube.[8]
This Life Is All We Have EP and Wolves Within (2013–2014)
On April 2, 2013, Sumerian Records posted a remastered version of the song "A Steady Decline" and stated, "On April 1, 2006 After the Burial released their ground breaking album Forging a Future Self, which helped shape the sound of modern metal. To celebrate seven years of shred ATB has released a new take on an old favorite!"
On April 30, Sumerian Records uploaded three songs on their official YouTube channel for After the Burial's three-song EP entitled This Life Is All We Have. The EP included the following remastered songs from Forging a Future Self, featuring Notarmaso on vocals: "A Steady Decline", "Fingers Like Daggers", and "Redeeming the Wretched".
During live shows in 2013, After the Burial began playing two songs called "A Wolf Amongst Ravens" and "Anti-Pattern" from their yet to be released album.[9][10]
On November 5, 2013, Sumerian Records released the band's then-new song "A Wolf Amongst Ravens" on YouTube,[11] and revealed the band's album Wolves Within would be released on December 17, 2013. They resigned to Sumerian Records.[12]
On November 18, 2013, the song "Of Fearful Men" was uploaded to YouTube and made available for purchase through iTunes.[13]Wolves Within was released under Sumerian Records in December of the same year.
Guitarist and founding member Justin Lowe left the band and was found dead in the summer of 2015.
Guitarist and founding member Justin Lowe officially announced he left the band on June 24, 2015. He posted a lengthy statement on social media, accusing After the Burial, Sumerian Records, and most people in his life of plotting against him.[16]MetalSucks described his statement as "barely-coherent" and suspected it was a result of "a paranoid episode".[17] After the Burial responded to Lowe's open letter the following day, confirming he was under severe mental duress, and requested fans to support Lowe during his recovery. Lowe was under care of his family at the time.[18]
On the evening of July 20, 2015, Lowe was pronounced officially missing. Search efforts were made to find him. Lowe, aged 32, was found dead by a hiker on July 21, 2015, underneath the Soo Line High Bridge, while his car was found on the Minnesota side of the bridge. Authorities stated his death was consistent with that of a fall. It is unknown if the fall was accidental or intentional.[19]
On July 27, the band released a statement on their Facebook page saying they decided not to perform on the Summer Slaughter tour in the wake of Lowe's passing, and that they needed time to recover from the loss of their friend.[20]
Dig Deep and Lee Foral's departure (2016–2017)
On October 29, the band streamed the track "Lost in the Static", and announced a tour starting on November 5 in San Diego, being followed by The Faceless, Rings of Saturn and Toothgrinder. On New Years Day 2016, the band announced their album Dig Deep, released on February 19, 2016.
On December 22, they were announced as part of the Sumerian Records 10th Anniversary Tour with Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, Erra and Bad Omens. The tour started on February 19 in Minneapolis.
In June 2016, Lee Foral announced his departure to focus on his family.[21]
On December 3, 2016, Adrian Oropeza was announced as a full-time After the Burial member after the year of touring with them.[22]
Evergreen (2018–present)
On May 1, 2018, Hafdahl announced on Instagram the band had begun work on their sixth album. On July 20, recording wrapped up.
On February 2, 2019, the band revealed they would shoot a music video for a song off the then-upcoming album the following weekend. On February 26, they released the music video for "Behold the Crown", and announced their sixth album, Evergreen, would be released on April 19, 2019.[23][24]
After the Burial supported Parkway Drive and Killswitch Engage on their "Collapse the World" tour throughout the Spring of 2019. Vein also took part on the show as support.[25]
On February 18, 2022, the band released the instrumental edition of their album Dig Deep to commemorate its sixth anniversary.[28] In spring 2022, the band toured with Thy Art Is Murder as a co-headliner.[29] On March 30, 2023, the band released two singles, "Nothing Gold" and "Death Keeps Us from Living", under the banner of a two-song single titled Embrace the Infinity. A music video for "Nothing Gold" was published.[30]
In April 2023, After the Burial began a North American tour with Spiritbox and Intervals, starting the tour in Vancouver, Canada.[31]
On July 11, 2025, the band released "Hum From The Hollow".[32]
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